Thoughts on the 'need' factor of a main line surge protector

[Matt1221]

What are your thoughts on a surge protector I have a 50amp hookup & the parts department highly recommended one. Not sure if because the just wanted to sell me something or if there are alot of issues with sensitive electronics or what?

[Flute_Man]

One time in my RV park there was an underground fault between two pedestals causing very high voltage on 1 line which resulted in considerable damage to a persons RV. I bought the best that PI
Had. I can’t imagine how much it would cost if that happens to my motorhome. It would be one heck of a lot more then the $400 I paid for mine 15 years ago. I have the PT-50c from Progressive Industries.

You may call me if you wish. I am a retired Electrical Engineer.

[MarkTwain]

GrandpaKip wrote:
I believe a surge protector is mandatory equipment. I used a pedestal type that has some diagnostics on it. It saved us several times from miswired pedestals. I now have a hardwired EMS and really like the info it displays.
Both are Progressive Industries, made in the U.S.

Progressive Industries surge protectors provide the greatest protection for your RV. A side by side comparison of various Surge Protectors from different companies will reveal the greater protection by P I surge protectors. Always plug your surge protector into your electric source BEFORE you connect to your RV.

[ScottG]

I bought one purely for the real potential (get it?) of there being an open neutral when plugging in to 50A.
I didn't bother with one for our old 30A rig but I did install surge protectors on the individual appliances in the trailer.
In either case, I always unplug if there's a lightening storm since no surge protector is going to protect you from a nearby or direct hit.

[smarty]

Simply put: you must have one

[Lwiddis]

I don’t plug in much due to my style of camping...but when I do you bet my TT is protected.

[Ductape]

My practice is to insure where it’s required by law or for items I cannot afford to replace. Nothing inside the RV meets that for us. I’ve never owned one, nor suffered any damage in four decades of RVing.

[Wiscampsin]

We all have a fire extinguisher in our campers and hope we never have to put it to the test. But if we need it it's there. Same thing with a EMS. If you consider what it will cost to replace all the onboard electronics: AC, furnace board, tv, fridge, water heater, etc, an EMS is low cost insurance.

[GrandpaKip]

I believe a surge protector is mandatory equipment. I used a pedestal type that has some diagnostics on it. It saved us several times from miswired pedestals. I now have a hardwired EMS and really like the info it displays.
Both are Progressive Industries, made in the U.S.

[Bobbo]

If you choose not to get one and are unlucky enough to need it, I guarantee that you will get one after you replace your television(s), microwave, stereo, water heater element, refrigerator element, well, the list goes on.

Your choice.

(A lot of folks don't realize that even with a 50 amp setup, you can get 240v through every 120v appliance that is drawing power if the NEUTRAL wire in the power cord or pedestal ever breaks.)

[CA_Traveler]

BTW My HW50C purchased in 2004 protected me the very first trip with 160V on a 30A pedestal, not common but it happened and I could not get unplugged fast enough. Its now in the second rig and both DYI installations were done w/o any wires cut and hence easy to move again. But many can't or shouldn't install it themselves which makes the portable unit attractive pricewise.

[CA_Traveler]

EMS (Energy Management Systems) units like the PI HW50C protect against miswired pedestals, high/low voltage, surges (power line transients) and other proglems. CGs are notorious for power problems ESPECIALLY low voltage which can damage A/Cs and other equipment including electronics. Don't confuse EMS units with cheaper pure surge units (electrical transients).

30A pedestals often will have low voltage especially in the summer with A/Cs running. Without protection you might not know the A/Cs are running at say 95V. Standard AC is 120V.

I've encountered 5 cases of miswired pedestals, numerous cases of low voltage (mostly 30A pedestals) and 2 cases of high voltage, one was 160V on a 30A pedestal.

On a 50A pedestal a very bad problem is an open or partially open neutral which will cause very high and very low voltage on the 2 hot lines. 50A service is actually 120/240V the same as your home but I'll skip that detail.

PI has a portable unit that you can plug into the pedestal. I much prefer the HW50C (about $350) with it's remote unit that lets me know inside the RV of any power problems.

Some prefer a autoformer which will boost low voltage (about $600).

[gbopp]

I didn't think a surge protector was necessary until lightning struck a tree about 15' from our Southwind. We were in a CG at the time.
It's just another type of insurance.

[mleekamp]

It's all about insurance. Just like your PC at home that probably has one and is sensitive to power surges/outages, the surge protector should protect from surges in power.

Many campgrounds don't have perfect or reliable power. When we camp at some higher end places, my tester (not the surge protector) says all is good. Some of good ole IL state parks are iffy. You'll find comments here on RV.net about wrongly wired outlets, etc.

It's really all about peace of mind and insurance. To hopefully protect you from disaster. Compare pricing on Camping world, Amazon, and your local RV dealer.